Roadside bomb in Baghdad misses health ministry official, kills 1, injures 7 others

Bomb misses Iraq health ministry official, kills 1

BAGHDAD — Iraqi police and health officials say a Health Ministry official escaped an assassination attempt when a roadside bomb hit his convoy in eastern Baghdad, but one ministry employee died in the blast.

Three people in the four-vehicle convoy and four bystanders were also wounded in the attack on Tuesday that appeared directed at Dr. Ali Bustan al-Fartosi, who is in charge of eastern Baghdad’s medical facilities.

The officials said the doctor escaped unharmed.

The police official said it was not known why the doctor was targeted.

All the officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information.